Have you dreamt of getting paid while making SLO County more bike-friendly? Make your dreams come true and join our team… the Coalition is now hiring a Bike Valet Coordinator! To learn more about this opportunity and to apply visit our website.
Now is our chance… support Complete Streets nationwide!
While we continue to work to preserve federal funding for bicycling and walking, there is an opportunity this week to ensure that federally funded transportation projects accommodate the needs and safety of all users—including pedestrians and bicyclists. This would be a real chance to see Complete Streets policies enacted in every state.
On Wednesday morning, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will consider an amendment offered by Alaska Senator Mark Begich to provide safe and adequate accommodations for all users in all federally-funded street projects. This means safer roads for everyone, including those who walk, bicycle, ride transit, and drive cars.
According to the National Complete Streets Coalition: “This important amendment would ensure that future transportation investments made by state Departments of Transportation improve safety for everyone… More than 300 communities — including states, MPOs, counties, and towns of all sizes — have already said they will plan their streets in this manner. With additional guidance and support for Complete Streets from the federal level, these localities will have an easier time building the roads they want – roads that make their communities healthier and wealthier.” (Click here for additional details on the amendment.)
We need you to voice your support TODAY. Please visit the Safe Routes to School’s online action center and have your voice heard! Senator Boxer is on the Commerce Committee, so you will see a letter asking her to vote for the Begich amendment. Senator Feinstein is not a member of the Commerce Committee, so you will see a different letter asking her to co-sponsor Complete Streets legislation.
This is the first time in more than six years that our federal representatives will take a vote on Complete Streets language — please, take action TODAY!
The Coalition is hosting a screening of Bicycle Dreams, an amazing movie about the Race Across America, a 3000 mile racel across the country in just ten days. We’ll be screening the movie at the Palm Theatre in SLO, and receiving a portion of the ticket sales!
What: Bicycle Dreams Movie Screening
When: Thursday February 9th, 7:00 pm
Where: Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St, San Luis Obispo (map)
How: Purchase tickets online ($11) or at Coalition Headquarters ($10) (map) to avoid the service fee.
It’s sure to be a great movie showing, one that will get you fired up about riding your bike! View the trailer here:
We’ll see you there, tell your friends!
What do you do to pay the bills? I’m recently retired from almost 50 years in Information Technology, the last 10 being at Cal Poly.
What kind of riding do you do? How often? My riding is mostly recreational at this time, usually three times a week. I used to commute occasionally by bike to Cal Poly. I ride mostly with my wife and we participate in San Luis Obispo Bicycle group rides. We ride recumbents, solo and tandem. We sold our road bikes in 1994, but have some mountain bikes we ride a couple of times a year.
What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in SLO County? I think the most important role of the Coalition has been their advocacy with local government and other organizations to improve the streets, bike paths and riding conditions for everyone in the county, and for the associated increased awareness of cycling and walking that now exists within our community.
What advice do you have to encourage others to get on their bicycles? Just do it! Stop procrastinating, dust off the bike and get out and ride, we live in a beautiful part of the country, so get out and enjoy it.
What’s your favorite thing about bicycles? Their simplicity, mechanical efficiency and freedom they provide. Riding a bike is as close as we can get to the freedom of a bird, but on the ground.
Describe your favorite bicycle memory… My father was teaching me to ride when I was about 5 or 6 years old. We’d go the local park and I’d keep trying to balance, but didn’t really progress very much. Until one day, when I “got it”. I rode round and round on the grass, until I hit a tree root and fell over. The metaphorical light bulb came on and I then understood the personal freedom that a bicycle provides and how easy and enjoyable it is to get around without relying on other people or motorized transportation.
If you had a name for your favorite bicycle, what would it be? My wife and I don’t usually name our bikes, but we do occasionally refer to our recumbent tandem as “The Beast”. While it was built specifically for racing, it is nevertheless a lot heavier and less agile than our solo bikes
Anything else you want to share? My major interest lies in all forms of human powered transportation – including submarines and boats, land vehicles, helicopters and airplanes, not just bicycles. I’d also like to emphasize how easy it is to just get out and ride. It’s a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the scenery.
UPS is looking for cyclists interested in delivering packages during the holiday rush (now until December 23rd).
Typical workday starts around 9:45 -10:00 am. Need to be fit and capable of pulling a 2-wheeled trailer (21″ x 30″ cargo area, 38 lbs. empty) up the hills in your neighborhood. Bob Nanninga has been doing this for 3 seasons with UPS and typically puts in 3-4 hours and 10-15 miles average, daily Monday – Friday.
The week before Christmas is crazy but by then, you should be in shape. A mustache is OK but no hair is allowed below the upper lip.
If you’re interested, contact Bob at 805-234-6757, for more details and to put you in touch with UPS supervision.
Who wouldn’t love to get a package delivered by a bicycle?! This is a great quick gig for someone interested in riding their bicycle to make a little extra money for the holidays. Spread the word!
Guest hack provided by Tony Baldick on his MASHIRA site. Indoor bicycle storage can be tricky, as space is always limited, but with some simple IKEA parts, Baldick was able to create a pretty awesome 3-tier system…
Presenting the 3 tier stacked IKEA storage bicycle rack! All rack components are from the modular (and very inexpensive) Stolmen series from IKEA. Using this post for inspiration, I used two telescoping posts, two clothes rails, ten end fixtures, and six hooks. This, in my mind, made the system more secure and stable for three bikes. All tools for assembly are included with components. In a nutshell, use the Ikea instructions for assembly. Padded strips with adhesive backing placed on the inside of the Stolmen hooks will prevent scratching.Like : No drilling is required! All components are matte white, which will probably look good against any interior. This being a modular system, you can add or subtract other add-ons from the same model family. Put some plants on it, or a mirror, maybe a cat bed? And lastly, 3 stacked bikes! Who has that? Watch friends marvel at your mad hacking engineering skills. Cost : $100 – $120ish.No Like : Yea, getting that top bike kinda sucks. I stand on a chair to grab the highest bike and put said bike back. Obviously, having the lightest bike on the top helps.
Looks pretty great to us… got more bike hacks? Share them with us, we’d love to show-off your innovation!
